Key Takeaways:
– St. Louis Cardinals dealing with a string of injuries leading to lineup shifts.
– Catcher Willson Contreras and Pitcher Steven Matz recently injured.
– Matthew Liberatore moved from the bullpen to starting rotation after Matz’s injury.
– Mixed results from Liberatore prompts argument about his role within the Cardinals.
– Manager Oliver Marmol acknowledges the challenges of reassigning roles due to injuries.
– No set return date for Steven Matz, who is currently on the injured list.
– Cardinals are possibly exploring relief options in the minor leagues and free agents.
The Change in Team Dynamics
The much-anticipated baseball season had an unfortunate start for the St. Louis Cardinals due to numerous injuries. The most noticeable absences are starting catcher Willson Contreras and starting pitcher Steven Matz. The injury-enforced reshuffling led to significant decisions, including moving the left-handed Matthew Liberatore from his bullpen role to the starting rotation.
Dealing with the Liberatore Switch
The Liberatore shift has been met with a mixed response so far. He made three starts in Matz’s absence, registering a 9.00 ERA in 10 innings. He gave up 14 hits, three walks, and a home run, resulting in losses for the Cardinals in all three games. In 16 appearances before these, he posted a 5.30 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.
Though initially projected as a starter in the minor leagues, Liberatore has been a lefthanded bullpen option throughout the 2024 season. Manager Oliver Marmol opines that the 24-year-old could eventually succeed in the rotation. But for now, he’s been more effective from the bullpen.
Manager Marmol’s Perspective
Manager Oliver Marmol discussed the situation after the Cardinals’ recent 11-3 loss against the Boston Red Sox. “You end up overextending guys,” Marmol explained. “You’re asking them to do more than they need to do. They’re out there for extra outs, an extra inning. It’s a challenging combination for that game and the following days.”
Marmol gave kudos to Liberatore for a good start in the bullpen role and his commendable handling of the transition. The manager said that many of the plans he had for his pitching staff have been disrupted due to the constant shuffling needed to compensate for injured players.
The Wait for Matz’s Return Continues
Steven Matz joined the injured list on May 3 due to a severely strained back. Initially, the left-handed pitcher was expected to return by early June, but there’s no current timetable for his return.
MLB.com’s John Denton has noted that Matz hadn’t begun a throwing program as of May 12. Instead, he received another pain-killing injection. Therefore, Matz won’t be able to immediately reclaim the fifth spot in the rotation anytime soon.
Potential Replacements On The Horizon
Despite his roving role, the Cardinals plan to start Liberator again. However, given the uncertain results, they might explore alternatives. The team could seek temporary support from their minor league corps, like the much-lauded prospect Tink Hence. An intriguing possibility suggested by Mark Polishuk from MLB Trade Rumors is Zack Greinke, a 40-year-old free-agent.
With no definitive return date for Matz yet and Liberatore’s mixed outcomes, the Cardinals’ approaching strategy to their starting and bullpen rotation will be interesting to observe.